Apparatus for making metallic tubular workpieces



s. FINDLATER APPARATUS 'FOR MAKING METALLIC TUBULAR'woRKPIEcEs Filed sept. 12, 1936 Dec. zo, 1932?.`

Patented Dec. 20, 1938 PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS Fon MAKING 'rUBULAa wo METALLIC BKPIFZES Stevenson Flndlater, McKeesport, Pa., assignor to National Tube Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application September 12, 1936, Serial No. 100,535

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function to maintain control of the resultant out- 10 side diameter. That is to say, these guide devices are disposed intermediate the metal-working rolls (which, for example, may be of the well known Mannesmann, or Stiefel types) and not only aline the work-piece for initial contact with the metalworking rolls, but in addition confine its circumferential growth and, by reactionary influence, divertthis growth into length, or elongation.

As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, these guide devices are exposed to-very rapid wear and must be frequently replaced. In addition, it is necessary to change them whenever a different section is to be rolled. In'the art of manufacturing seamless tubes, the work-piece, or billet, is rotated by the rolling action and the guide devices are profiled to conform substantially to the section thereof.

In view of the foregoing diliiculties, it is necessary to carry a well-diversified stock of guide devices which are composed of expensivewear-resistant metals. Whenever one of them becomes excessively worn in a localized area, it is necessary to discard the entire device.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide an apparatus for making metallic tubular work-pieces wherein there (is eliminated the discard of an entire guide device whenever a localized area is excessively worn; and also to enable simple, but accurate, adjustments to compensate for rolling a changed section. The latter feature is a function of varying the vertical limits of eitherthe inlet' or outlet portions of the guides. In this manner, tubes of varying diameter may be produced from the same diameter of work-piece,

or billet, simply by changing the -outlet portionof the guide device; and also the inlet portion of the guide device may be changed to produce tubes of constant diameter .from work-pieces of varying diameters.

Another object is to reduce the number of stocked parts necessary to operate a rolling mill.

The foregoing and other objects will be apparent after referring to the drawing in which:

The single figure isa sectional elevation of the device of theinvention as applied to a conventional type of seamless tube mill.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numerals I and 2, respectively, designate the usual upper and lower chairs for the guide devices which are customarily employed intermediate the metal-working rolls of the mill.

According to the teachings of the invention, the upper chair I carries a pair of horizontally extending pins 2 and 4, which are substantially spaced with respect to each other. The pin 3, which is most adjacent the inlet end o'f the mill, carries a movable bell-crank lever 5, one end of which extends forwardly and horizontally, as shown at 6. This movable bell-crank lever 5 functions as a clamping element in a manner to be later described. One end of a vertically extending shaft 'I is pivotally connected, as at 8, to the end 5 of the bell-crank lever 5. The other end of the shaft 'I is extended through an ear 9 which is integrally formed on the upper chair I. This end of the shaft 'I is screw-threaded to carry an adjusting nut I in contact with the ear 9, whereby the bell-crank lever may be partially rotated on the pin 3. The other end of the bellcrank lever 5 `extends downwardly, as shown at I2, and carries a forwardly extending lug I3, whose forward face I4 is mitered.

The forward part of the upper guide element per se of the invention is shown at I5 as comprising a metallic segment which carries forward and rearward mitered projections I6 and I'I, respectively. 'I'he forward mitered projection is supported by the forward wall I9 of the upper chair I, which is provided with a mitered recess 20 to receive it. This mitered recess 20, together with the guide element supporting surface of the chair I (to be later described) defines a reentrant angle. The rearward mitered projection I1 pro- `vides an undercut surface which is engaged by the complementary mitered surface I4 on the forwardly extending lug I3 on the bell-crank lever 5. The segment I5 of the upper guide element has a rearward inclined surface 22 which extends generally in the direction of its forward mitered pro- :lection I6.

The rearward pin I on the upper chair I carries a bell-crank lever 25, one end of which extends forwardly and horizontally, as shown at 26. 'This movable bell-crank lever 25 also functions as a clamping element as will be later described. One end of a vertically extending shaft 2l is pivotally connected, as at 28, to the end 26 of the bell-crank lever 25. The other end of the vertical shaft 21 is extended through an ear 29 which is integrally formed on the upper chair I. I'his end of the shaft 21 is screw-threaded to carry an adjusting nut 30 in contact with the ear 29, whereby the bell-crank lever 25 may be partially rotated on the pin 4. The other end of the bell-cranl-rA lever 25 extends downwardly, as shown at 32, and carries a forwardly extending lug 33 whose forward face 34 is mitered complementary to and for contact with the rearward inclined surface 22 of the segment I5.

The rearward part of the upper guide element per se of the invention is shown at 35 as comprising a metallic segment which carries forward and rearward mitered projections 36 and 31, respectively. The mitered projection 36 presents a surface which extends generally in the direction of the rearward inclined surface 22 of the segment |5. The rearward mitered projection 31 extends generally in the direction of, but is of course materially spaced from, the undercut surface provided by the rearward mitered projection. I1 on the metallic segment I5. This rearward mitered projection 31 of the metallic segment I1 is engaged by the complementary mitered surface 34 on the forwardly extending lug 33 on the bellcrank lever 25.

Liners 43 are disposed between the upper chair I and the upper surfaces of the segments I5 and 35 to adjust the latter with respect to the horizontal center-line of the pass. These liners 43 provide the guide-element supporting surface referred to hereinbefore and provide means of adjustment and possible compensation for wear.

The lower chair 2 of the mill carries a supplemental chair 63 in which are mounted horizontally extending pins 53 and 54 which are substantially spaced with respect to each other. The pin 53, which is mounted in the forward portion of the supplemental chair 63, carries a movable bell-crank lever 55, one end of which extends vertically, as shown at 56, and has a forward and horizontally extending lug 51. This movable bellcrank lever 55 functions vas a clamping element in a manner to be later described. The forward face of the lug 51 is mitered, as shown at 58. 'I'he other end of the bell-crank lever 55 extends downwardly, as shown at 59, and is provided on its forward face with a detent 60 for a purpose to be described.

The upper face of the forward part of the supplemental chair 63 carries the forward segment of the lower guide element. This part of the lower guide element is shown at 65 as comprising a metallic segment. which carries forward and rearward initered projections 66 and 61, respectively. The supplemental chair 63 is provided with a mitered recess 1I to receive the forward complementary mitered projection 66 on the segment 65; while the rearward complementary mitered projection 61 provides an undercut surface which is engaged by the complementary mitered face 58 on the forward and horizontally extending lug 51 on the vertically extending end 56 of the bellcrank lever 55. This mitered recess 1|, together with the guide-element supporting surface of the chair 2 (to be later described) defines a reentrant angle. The segment 65 of the lower guide element has a rearward inclined surface 12 which extends generally in the direction ofv its forward mitered projection 66.

The intermediate portion of the lower guide element per se is adapted to rest on the rearward portion of the supplemental chair 63. This part of the lower guide element is shown at 15 as comprising a metallic segment which carries forward and rearward mitered projections 16 and 11, respectively. The forward mitered projections 16 on the metallic segment 15 extends generally in the direction of the rearward inclined surface 12 of the forward segment 65 of the lower guideelement and makes contact therewith. The rearward mitered projection 11 of the rearward segment 15 of the lower guide-element extends generally in the direction of the undercut surface provided by the rearward mitered projection 61 of the forward segment 65.

Pin 54, mounted in the supplemental chair 63, carries a bell-crank lever 80, one end of which extends vertically, as shown at 8|. This end 8| f of the bell-crank lever 80 carries a forward and horizontally projecting lug 82, whose forward face is mitered, as at 83, to make contact with the rearward complementary mitered projection 11 on the segment 15. 'Ihe rearward face of the vertically extending end 8| of the bell-crank lever 80 is mitered, as `shown at 86. The rearward part 2a of the lower chair 2 has a forward bearing projection 9|, whose forward face is mitered, as shown at 92, to make contact with the complementary mitered rearward face 86 of the vertically extending end 8| of the bell-crank lever 80.

The rearward part 2al of the lower chair 2 also carries on its upper face an outlet trough, or supplemental guiding element 95 for supporting the work-piece as it moves out of the mill'. This supplemental guiding element 95 carries a downwardly projecting mitered lug 96 for a purpose to be later described. f

The forward part of the lower chair 2 carries a horizontal pin immediately below the pin 53 in supplemental chair 63. This pin I 00 car- -ries a vertically extending lever |0I, which has a rearwardly projecting lug |02. 'I'his rearward projection |02 seats in the detent 60 on the forward face of the downward extending portion 59 of the bell-crank lever 55. A rearwardly extending shaft |03 is pivotally connected, as at |04, to the intermediate portion of the vertically extending lever IOI.. The other end of the shaft |03 extends through the rearward part 2S oi the lower chair 2. The extreme rearward portion of the rearward part 2'l of the lower chair 2 carries an ear |01 to which there is pivotally connected a vertically extending lever |09.

This vertically extending lever I 09 has a horizontal aperture 0 to receive the rearward extremity of the shaft |03. 'I'he upper end of the vertically extending lever |09 carries a forwardly projecting lug I I2, which engages the downwardly extending mitered lug 96 on the supplemental guiding element 95. The rearwardly extending end of the shaft |03 is provided with a suitable washer ||3 and is screw-threaded to carry an adjusting nut I I4, whereby the supplemental guiding element 95 on the rearward part o1' the lower chair 2 is moved forwardly. In this manner, the various mitered surfaces of the hereinbefore described elements are very rigidly heldv together,

Liners II8 are disposed between the upper face of the supplemental chair 63 and the segments 65 and 15 to enable centering and also in order that the segments 65 and 15 may be adjusted with respect to the horizontal center-line of the pass. These liners |I8 provide the guide-element supporting surfaces hereinbei'ore referred to in connection with the lower segments 65 and 15 of the device of the invention.

It is to be noted that the segments I and 65, and 35 and 15 are identical and, therefore, interchangeable, whereby complexity is avoided.

While I have described one specific embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that I CII Vso

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guide-element supporting surfaces of said guide,

do lnot wish to be limited exactly thereto, since various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of my invention, as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for making metallic tubular work-pieces, said apparatus including a plurality of power-actuated metal-working rolls constructed and arranged to advance the work-pieces helically, guide supports disposed immediately above and below the pass formed by said rolls, upper and lower guides of similar configuration, each of said guide supports having an abutment and a guide-element supporting surface, said abutment and said supporting surface defining a reentrant angle, guide-elements having surfaces complementary to and in contact with the abutment on each of said guide supports, said guideelements being also in contact with the guideelement supporting surfaces of said guide supports, each of said guide-elements having an undercut surface spaced from and oppositely inclined with respect to those surfacesthereof which `are complementary to the abutments on said guide supports, clamping elementshaving surf aces complementary to and in contact with the undercut surfaces of said guide-elements whereby said guide-elements are rigidly secured to said guide supports, said guide-elements having other surfaces extending generally in the direction of'but materially spaced from the abutments of said guide supports, additional guide-elements having surfaces complementary to and in contact with the last-named surfaces of said first-named guide-elements, said second-named guide-elements having surfaces extending generally in the .direction of the undercut surfaces of said firstnamed guide-elements, and clamping elements having surfaces complementary to and in contact with the last-named surfaces of said secondnamed guide-elements whereby said secondnamed guide-elements are rigidly secured against said first-named guide-elements and to said guide supports.

2. In an apparatus for making metallic tubular work-pieces, said apparatus including a plurality of power-actuated metal-working rolls constructed and arranged'to advance ,theV workpiece helically, guide supports disposed immediately above and below the pass'formed by said rolls. upper and lower guides of similar conguration, each of said guide supports having an abutment and a guide-element supporting surface, said abutment and said supporting surface defining a reentrant angle, guide-elements having surfaces complementary to and in contact with the abutment on each of said guide supports, said guide-elements being also in .contact with' the supports, each of said guide-elements having an undercut surface spaced from their surfaces which are complementary to the abutments on said-guide supports, clamping elements having surfaces complementary to and in contact with l the undercut surfaces of said guide-elements whereby said guide-elements are rigidly secured to said guide supports, said guide-elements having surfaces extending generally in the direction of but materially spaced from. the abutments of said guide supports, guide-elements having sur- Y faces complementary to and in'contact with the last-named surfaces of said first-named guideelements, saidsecond-named guide elements having surfaces extending generally in the direction of the undercut surfaces of said first-named "ately above and rality of power-actuated metal-working rolls constructed and arranged to advance the workpiece helically, guide supports disposed immediately above and below the pass formed by said rolls, upper and lower guides of v similar configuration, each of said guide supports having an abutment and a guide-element supporting surface, said abutment and said supporting surface defining a reentrant angle, the guide-element supporting surfaces of said guide supports being adjustable with respect to the center-line of the pass defined by said rolls, guide-elements having surfaces complementary to and in contact with the abutment on each of said guide supports, said guide-elements being also in contact with the guide-element supporting surfaces of said guide supports, each of said guide elements having an undercut surface spaced from their surfaces which are complementary to the abutments on said guide supports, clamping elements having surfaces complementary to and in contact with the undercut surfaces of said .guide-elements` whereby said guide-elements are rigidly secured to said guide supports. said guide-elements havingsurfaces extending generally in the direction of but materially spaced from the abutments of said guide supports, guide-elements having surfaces complementary to and in contact with the last-named surfaces of ,said first-named guideelements, said second-named guide-elements having surfaces extending generally in the direction of the undercut surfaces of said first-named guide-elements, and clamping elements having surfaces complementary to and in contact with the last-named surfaces of said second-named guide-elements ywhereby said second-named guide-elements are rigidly secured ,against said first-named guide-elements and to said guide supports.

4. In an apparatus for making metallic tubular work-pieces, said apparatus including a plurality of power-actuated metal-working rolls constructed and arranged to advance the workpiece helically, guide supportsl disposed immedibelow thepass formed by said rolls, upper and lower guides of similar conguration, each-of said guide supports having an abutment land a guide-element supporting surface adjacent its forward end, said abutment and said supporting surface defining a reentrant angle,'guide elements having surfaces complesaid guide-elements having :an undercut surface spaced from their surfaces which4 are complementary to the abutments on said guide supports, clamping elements having surfaces complementary to and in contact with the undercut surfaces of said guide-elements whereby said guide-elements are rigidly secured to said 'guide supports, said guide-elements having surfaces extending generally in the direction of but materially spaced surfaces complementary to and in contact with the last named-surfaces of said rearwardly disposed guide-elements whereby said rearwardly disposed guide-elements are rigidly secured against said first-named guide-elements and to 5 said guide supports.

' sTEvENsoN FINDLATER. 

